The Dow Jones Industrial Average was rising 44.19 points, or 0.34%, to 13,076.94. Leading the Dow higher were two companies that reported earnings Thursday -- Travelers ( TRV) and Verizon ( VZ), and Microsoft ( MSFT), which reports after the markets close.

Shares of Travelers gained 4.88% to $62.37. The insurance company's first-quarter earnings were $806 million, or $2.02 a share, down from year-earlier earnings of $839 million, or $1.92 a share. Analysts, on average, expected earnings of $1.52 a share.

Verizon shares rose 2.12% to $38.46. The telecommunications company reported first-quarter earnings per share of 59 cents, up from year-earlier earnings of 51 cents. Analysts were expecting 58 cents a share.

Verizon gets a B- grade with a buy rating and $43.37 price target from TheStreet Ratings.

Shares of Microsoft rose 1.5% to $31.61. The software company is scheduled to report fiscal third-quarter results after the close. Analysts, on average, anticipate earnings of 58 cents a share on revenue of $17.18 billion.

TheStreet Ratings gives Microsoft an A grade with a buy rating and $35.78 price target.